Accreditation and facilities

Media accreditation for journalists

Members of the media wishing to attend meetings of Oireachtas Committees or Oireachtas media events should contact the Press Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas in advance of arriving at Leinster House.

Members of the media wishing to attend plenary sittings of Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann should contact the Press Gallery (details below) in advance to arrange accreditation.

*The Press Gallery organises access to Leinster House, and to sittings of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, on behalf of journalists from Ireland and around the world. It also engages with the Oireachtas authorities, on behalf of the media, about issues relating to press access and facilities. It is made up of accredited journalists and is entirely independent of the Oireachtas itself.

General information

Members of the media should report to the Visitor Reception area at the Kildare Street Gate where you will be directed (a) to pick up your access pass at the Enquiry Office or (b) to go directly to LH 2000 where the Committee meeting rooms are located. You may be required to produce photo ID to gain access.

Each Committee meeting room has a row of reserved seating for the media, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Phones must be switched off while attending a Committee meeting or plenary sitting.

In Committee rooms, visitors must not cross from the visitors’ gallery onto the Committee floor and must not interfere with the papers of Oireachtas Members.

It is possible to view live broadcasts of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and public Committee meetings online.

Media events of a commercial nature or that would confer monetary gain or promotional advantage to any firm, company, group or individual are not permitted.

The Parliamentary Ushers are available at all times to assist visitors and media with any queries. They may also issue direction during your time in Leinster House and your cooperation with their instructions is expected and acknowledged in advance.

Arranging interviews

Interviews with Members at Leinster House can take place with the Member’s agreement. When a Member (or group of Members) has consented to be interviewed, the interview arrangements must be sent via email to the Events Desk. Impromptu or "door-stepping" type interviews are not permitted.

Notification of the interview can be given by the Member, party press staff, secretarial assistants, or the accredited journalist. The Events Desk will arrange access clearances (if necessary) and interview location bookings. In the case of party leaders, interviews and recording may take place in the party leader's office.

The interview format is camera crew and journalist interviewing the Member. "Pieces to camera" by journalists are not permitted except at the end of the interview. In such circumstances the "piece to camera" should not exceed 30 seconds.

Interviews may only be conducted in certain locations within Leinster House. Please contact the Oireachtas Press Office for advice and information.

Media briefings

Oireachtas Committee media briefings may be held in the Audio-Visual Room or the conference room of the Royal College of Physicians.

Political party briefings to media may be held in the Audio-Visual Room. The House rules in regard to display of political emblems apply to media briefings. Room booking and access arrangements should be made through the Events Desk.

Photo calls and filming

Photo calls are permitted in Leinster House at the following locations only:

The Plinth in Kildare Courtyard

The Audio-Visual Room

Under the Portico at LH 2000

Ground floor public entrance to the Dáil Gallery.

Filming and photography inside Leinster House (with the exception of photo-calls as set out above) normally require the consent of the Committee on Procedure. Where filming of vacant Chambers is being sought for historical or documentary purposes, please contact the Oireachtas Press Office.

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